ZCZC
BFF-21
DEATH-TOLL-SAMOA
Death toll of measles climbs to 48 in Samoa
SUVA, Dec 1, 2019 (BSS/XINHUA) – Samoa’s Ministry of Health confirmed four
more deaths in the country’s measles epidemic on Sunday, bringing the death
toll to 48 since the measles outbreak in Mid-October.
According to a government statement on Sunday, of the 48 deaths, most are
children under the age of four with four fatalities recorded in the last 24
hours.
The ministry said that a total of 3,530 measles cases have been recorded
to the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 173 cases reported in the last
24 hours.
A total of 191 people are now hospitalized with measles.
Currently, Samoa is in a state of emergency, with all schools closed, a
mass vaccination campaign underway and public gatherings in the nation
restricted.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted via
droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Death may occur
in up to 5-10 percent of infected young children in developing countries.
BSS/XINHUA/FI/ 1552 hrs